Birefringence
Synonyms
Birefraction
Birefractions
Birefringences
Double Refraction
Double Refractions
Refraction, Double
Refractions, Double
The property of nonisotropic media, such as crystals, whereby a single incident beam of light traverses the medium as two beams, each plane-polarized, the planes being at right angles to each other. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed)